Music Scholarships

Music Majors Auditions

If you are able to arrange your Harding visit to include Friday, March 7, as well, you can book a personal visit to attend chapel, classes, etc., which is coordinated through our Admissions office. Request a personal visit now.

Be prepared to be on campus from 8 am until 4 pm on Saturday. You won't be busy the whole time but there are activities throughout the day. You will perform your prepared audition, complete our piano and theory entrance exams and visit with faculty and students. The Office of Admissions will also have campus tours in the morning that you and your family may join.  

In addition to the activities during the day on Saturday, we recommend the following events if your schedule allows:

Friday, March 7 - Arts & Life Performance Series presents Alex Ritchie, baritone, 7 pm in the Anthony and Wright Administration Auditorium. Tickets will be free for you and your family.

Saturday, March 8 - Student recital by junior Matthew Wells on alto saxophone. 7 pm in the Reynolds Recital Hall. This event is free to the public. 

March 15 – Instrumental and Choral Ensemble Auditions

The university is hosting a campus visit day on March 14, so we would encourage you to register for that too.  You can attend Chapel, attend rehearsals, visit the department in which you want to major and more.  You will finish your visit with the audition on Saturday. Here is the link to register for the March 14 Black & Gold Day

Freshman and transfer students who are entering Harding for the first time and who have applied for admission to the university are eligible.

Auditions will take place in the music wing of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Music and Communication on the south side of the university campus.  Please report to the Music Office upon arrival (M101, first office on the left as you enter the Reynolds building) to check in with our administrative assistant.

The address is 501 Burks Blvd., Searcy, AR 72149

We expect students to be dressed well for their audition.  Dress as you would if you were performing in a concert.  Jeans are not appropriate but a dress shirt and slacks or a skirt/dress project just the right image of professionalism.

Audition for any area in which you expect to participate in college.  We appreciate musicians who are versatile and multi-talented.  If you wish to audition in more than one area, prepare for each area compositions which best demonstrate your skill.  Consult with your primary area coordinator to confirm your audition choices.

Prospective MUSIC MAJORS, choose your primary performance area:

• KEYBOARD (piano) - the first movement of a sonata or sonatina AND one classical piece from the 19th or 20th century
• INSTRUMENTAL (winds, strings, percussion) - two works of contrasting nature, or two contrasting movements from a solo concerto or sonata, with a minimum difficulty level of that of a standard piece from the solo list in your home state.
• VOCAL - one classical song in English AND one art song in Italian, German or French.  Memorization is recommended.

Prospective NON-MUSIC MAJORS, choose your primary performance area:

• INSTRUMENTAL (winds, strings, percussion) - a solo that you are currently playing, or a part that you are currently playing in a band or orchestra.
• VOCAL - sing a verse of "My Country 'tis of Thee." You will also be asked to sight sing your part of a hymn and perform some vocal exercises.

If you have questions or concerns as to the appropriateness of your audition material, ask your area coordinator well before your audition.  Our administrative assistant can provide you with contact information.  Inappropriate audition material may result in a lower evaluation by the music faculty.  We want you to do your best.

You may bring your own accompanist, or Harding will provide one at your request and at no charge to you.  Please let us know on your audition form if you are bringing an accompanist.  If you wish to use a Harding accompanist, copies of your music must reach the music department three weeks in advance of your audition.  Please note:  Even though you have sent copies in advance, you must bring the original music to your audition.

The first round of scholarship contracts will be issued by April 1, 2025